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Second Annual West Texas and Beyond Revue at Texas Theatre this weekend

The TEXAS Theatre in downtown Sweetwater and the Sweetwater Texas Theatre Acquisition & Renovation (STTAR) board of directors announce the 2nd Annual West Texas & Beyond Revue, hosted by Texas Music Ambassador Bob Livingston, to be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the TEXAS Theatre. Performing for the event this year will be guests from West Texas and beyond, including Blues Boy Willie (Memphis, Texas), Bob Livingston and Colin Gilmore (Austin) and Susan Herndon (Oklahoma) with musical accompaniment by Bradley Kopp and David Carroll (Austin) and local percussionist Tommy McCoy (Sweetwater). The annual live music show is offered as a part of the on-going effort to provide professional entertainment to the community as well as fund raising for the TEXAS theatre renovation projects. Singer-songwriter Bob Livingston has never been a traditional Texas country musician living the honky-tonk life, even though he's spent more than his share of time on the roadhouse circuit with some of the most colorful music legends in Texas. As a member of Austin’s legendary Lost Gonzo Band, performing and recording with such visionaries as Jerry Jeff Walker, Michael Martin Murphey and Ray Wylie Hubbard, Livingston played an integral role in creating the music that first earned Austin the designation of 'Live Music Capital of the World.' Livingston has seen a lot of the world since growing up in musically fertile West Texas. Hailing originally from Lubbock, his interests were more 'Cosmic' than 'Cowboy' and have prompted him to delve into the music and mysteries of many cultures. Traveling since the 80s as a Music Ambassador for the U.S. State Department, Livingston has taken Texas music as far afield as India, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, demonstrating again and again the unique power that music has to build bridges between peoples of the world. As Livingston says, 'When all else fails, music prevails.' This philosophy earned him the honor of being appointed, 'Austin’s International Music Ambassador' in 2010 by the Austin City Council. With his 2011 Texas Music Awards Album of the Year, Gypsy Alibi, co-produced with Lloyd Maines, Livingston presents a mixed bag of folk-rock, Americana, country and rock-a-billy with an epic or two thrown in. Blues Boy Willie, born William D. McFalls, grew up in the cotton-farming community of Memphis, Texas. He learned to play harmonica by sneaking his father’s harmonica out of his coat pocket, and Blues Boy’s first performance, at the age of 10 years old, was playing Little Richard’s “Lucille” at a high school prom. Blues Boy has been featured at JavaJax, the Sweet H20 Concert on Oak, as well as regular appearances at San Angelo’s Sealy Flats, various other Texas venues, and was 2011 winner of the San Angelo Simply Texas Blues Festival. Blues Boy’s harmonica playing is unrivaled; he’ll leave you “dancing in the aisle.” Susan Herndon is an Oklahoma girl and a woman of the world. While the patina of Sooner State red dirt is apparent in everything she sings, her music is more about where she’s been than from where she hails. A degree in French led her to south France for many years where her musical odyssey began. “Music really is our universal language” says Susan, “and I do believe that good songs, in any language, can truly touch souls.” Playing around 200 gigs a year for the past decade, Susan shares her passion for song with thousands of kindred spirits throughout Oklahoma, Texas and the American heartland. Colin Gilmore grew up in Lubbock, spending many nights as a child in nightclubs like Stubbs, where he witnessed songwriters like Joe Ely, Terry Allen and his own father, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, bring the stage to life. He developed a taste for Buddy Holly, Townes Van Zandt and bands like The Clash and The Pogues. For 13 years, Colin has been informed by these observations, writing songs and playing under his own name. His last album, Goodnight Lane, won fans across the world and critical acclaim. His star quality, both in live performances and songwriting, is understated but real. His tours in the U.S., Japan and Italy and the crowd responses in all of them, prove that Colin has a rare gift that cuts across styles and cultures.Backing up these professionals will be the exceptional, musical talents of guitarist Bradley Kopp and stand-up bassist David Carroll, both from Austin, and percussionist Tommy McCoy from Sweetwater. This year’s Revue is being presented in memory of STTAR Board Member Carolee Patterson. Ms. Patterson was a well-known member of the Sweetwater community who was very active throughout her life in supporting and participating in the fine arts. She was a devoted attendee at various entertainment events and was every performer’s favorite audience member due to her applause, cheering and encouragement. Carolee will be greatly missed by her fellow STTAR board members and by the Sweetwater community. The evening performance will begin at 8 p.m., doors will open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are $10 per person, general admission, available at the door night of show (no debit/credit available). No charge for coolers. The event is sponsored and produced by Perfect City Productions and KXOX AM/FM Radio of Sweetwater, benefitting STTAR (Sweetwater Texas Theatre Acquisition & Renovation, a 501(c)3 not for profit organization). For more information call 325-933-4382.